Combination folder having selective delivery to plural cross-folders



p 9, 1910 R. L. sJdsTRblw 3,531,102

COMBINATION FOLDER HAVING SELECTIVE DELIVERY TO PLURAL CROSS-FOLDERS Filed July 13 1967 3 Sheets$heet 1 QM? i 0% Sept. 29, 1910 R L. sJos'rRom 3,531,102

COMBINATION FoL'nEa HAVING SELECTIVE DELIVERY 7 Y TO PLURAL CROSS-FOLDERS Filed July 13, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG] Sept. 29, 1970 Filed July 13. 1967 R. L. SJOSTROM COMBINATION FOLDER HAVING SELECTIVE DELIVERY TO PLURAL CROSS-FOLDERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Mum roe United States Patent O 3,531,102 COMBINATION FOLDER HAVING SELECTIVE DELIVERY TO PLURAL CROSS-FOLDERS Robert L. Sjiistriim, Boca Raton, Fla., assignor to Sjostrom Automations, Inc., Boca Raton, Fla., a corporation of Florida Filed July 13, 1967, Ser. No. 653,113 Int. Cl. B65h 45/12 US. Cl. 270-62 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A cross folder designed to make cross folds in bedsheets which have already been folded laterally consisting of a short forwardly moving conveyor belt system with a pair of nip rolls centrally located below and longitudinally parallel the upper level of the endless belts for effecting a first cross fold. A pair of sets of endless belts extend underneath and laterally from the nip rolls. A butterfly type deflector beneath the folding rolls is adapted to deflect sheets after passing between these folding rolls to one or the other of the pair of endless belts so that the cross folded sheet may be delivered selectively to either side of the folder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a folding machine and more particularly to a cross folder designed to make cross folds in bed sheets and the like which have already been laterally folded and are being delivered from a conventional sheet folder.

It is conventional in the sheet folding art to provide a sheet folder that is adapted to laterally fold bedsheets and the like after they have been ironed on a commercial ironer. Most sheet folders commercially available are designed to make two or three lateral folds, that is, folds normal to the direction of sheet movement, but no cross folds, that is folds somewhat normal to the longitudinal folds. Sheets are therefore folded into a very long and narrow shape when delivered from the sheet folder. It has been conventional to further fold these laterally folded sheets with a series of cross folds. These cross folds may be effected by hand or alternately by cross folding the sheets on separate machines specially designed for such purposes. The conventional cross folding machine which is available is a very wide but short ma chine designed to be placed at the end of a conventional sheet folder to receive the laterally folded sheets as they are delivered from the sheet folder. These cross folders then conventionally deliver the sheet to a small table secured to one side of the machine. An operator sitting before this table receives the sheets and then classifies them in piles or otherwise disposes of them. In this connection the operator may often require additional equipment at her side, including, for example, boxes or tables. This additional equipment and the space required by the operator necessitates provisions in a plant layout for substantial room at the side of the cross folder. The size of these cross folders is often a source of difi'iculty in laundry and linen supply plant layouts. Because of the space requiremenas at the side of the cross folder, consideration in installing these cross folders of standard design has to be given not only to the length and width of the cross folder itself but to the additional requirement of substantial space at one specified side of the cross folder. In many plants this may be a very difiicult problem because such laundry equipment is very substantial in size and often occupies a significant portion of the floor space of a particular plant, thus limiting the ability to adjust and move equipment within the plant.

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In the present invention there is provided a cross folder which is designed to increase the adaptability of a cross folder so that it may be used with either left or right side delivery. -A further object of the present invention is to provide a cross folder having a dual system of folding means so that defects or breakdowns in a portion of one folding means will not adversely affect the other. A further object of the present invention is to provide a cross folder which is more adaptable for use in a variety of situations than conventional cross folding mechanisms.

In the present invention there is provided a cross folder for textile or laundered sheets having a conveyor means formed of a plurality of endless belts for rotation of the upper surfaces of the belts in a forward direction and extending over a width greater than the length of the upper surfaces. A pair of folding rolls supported parallel to one another and lengthwise below the endless belts have a nip formed by the rolls intermediate a pair of belts. Endless belt means having upper surfaces positioned below and extending angularly to the axis of the folding rolls are designed to carry sheets fed from the nip outwardly towards one or the other side of the folder. In addition, means are provided for moving the upper surfaces of the endless belt means in directions outwardly from the nip towards the outer ends of the endless belts. Additional means are provided for selectively directing sheets fed from the nip onto one or the other of said endless belt means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a cross folder embodying the present invention FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In this arrangement there is provided a pair of side frames 1 positioned in vertical parallel relation and secured by a series of cross braces 2. In addition to the side frames a plurality of cross beams and supports 3 may be provided to support the various components hereafter described.

Suitably supported between the side frames 1 is a first and upper set of endless belts 5. These belts are supported for rotation of their upper surfaces 6 in a forward direction indicated by the arrow 7 by means of rear and forward rolls 8 and 9 respectively. These rolls 8 and 9 are suitably journaled in conventional journals in turn secured to the side frames 1. The rolls 8 and 9 may be suitably driven by conventional means from a common drive source. These means may, for example, include a motor connected to the rolls 8 through a standard sprocket and chain arrangement (not shown).

The upper surfaces of the belts 5 extend over and rest on an upper table 10 which may be provided with a series of longitudinal ridges 11 that extend longitudinally between adjacent belts. The table 10 is provided with a longitudinally extending opening 12 centrally located with the opening positioned between two adjacent belts 5. The table may be suitably secured at its side edges to the frame 1. Positioned above the opening 12 and extending longitudinally of it is air pipe 14 having a series of openings directed downwardly towards the opening 12. This pipe 14 is supplied with air under pressure through a pipe and coupling 15 and 16 respectively with the pipe 15 being suitably connected to an air pressure source. This air pressure source may be of any conventional design and is not shown. If desired, the air pressure source may provide air to the pipe through one of the hollow cross braces 2. A cross brace of sufiicient internal diameter will provide a reservoir supply of air in the event that there is a sudden drop in the air pressure system from a central air pressure source. Also supported above the opening 12 is a microswitch 18. This microswitch 18 may be supported on a suitable cross bar or brace 19 and is longitudinally adjustable on the bar for engagement with the sheets of different sizes. The microswitch 18 is provided with an engaging arm or finger 18a that extends downwardly towards the opening 12 and is adapted to be engaged by a moving sheet as it is moved in a forward direction over the upper surface of belts 5. This microswitch 18 controls a solenoid and valve arrangement of standard design which in turn admits air to the air tube or pipe 14 so that when the switch 18 is engaged by the leading edge of a sheet, air will blow the sheet downwardly through the opening 12. If desired, a time delay circuit of conventional design may also be provided in the microswitch circuit so that the microswitch will not cause actuation of the air cylinder until the sheet is properly positioned directly over the opening 12. The pipe 14 and bar 19, may, if desired, be supported and secured at their ends between cross braces 2.

Positioned between each of the belts 5 are a series of guides 5a at the forward ends, with these guides 5a projecting upwardly over the surface of the belts and extending around the roll 9 with the lower end of the guide 5a secured to a suitable cross frame member 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2.

The upper surfaces of the belts 5 extend longitudinally (along the direction of feed) over a distance substantially shorter than the width (transverse to the direction of feed) of the machine.

A pair of folding rolls 20 and 21 are supported parallel to one another to form a nip or folding line 23 immediately below and extending longitudinally of the opening 12. This nip is preferably symmetrical with respect to the opening 12 and is adapted to receive and fold sheets forced downwardly through the opening 12.

Positioned below the nip 23 is an endless belt means preferably formed of two sets of endless belts and 51. Set 50 of endless belts is supported on rolls 52 and 53 while belts 51 are supported on rolls 54 and 55. Rolls 52, 53, 54 and 55 are all parallel to one another and parallel to rolls 20 and 21. Belts 50 have their upper surfaces adapted to move outwardly from roll 52 which is directly under roll 20 toward roll 53, while the upper surfaces of belts 51 have upper surfaces adapted to move outwardly from roll 54 which is directly under roll 21 toward roll 55. Rolls 53 and 55 are positioned at opposite sides of the machine with roll 53 positioned on the left side and roll 55 on the right side of the machine as viewed in FIG. 3. These rolls are suitably supported in journals which in turn may be secured to cross beams 3 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The upper surfaces of the belts 50 and 51 terminate at openings 57 in the side frames 1 so as to permit access to the upper surfaces of the belts and a means of egress through the frames 1 onto a table or other suitable projection 58 which is preferably aligned with the end of the upper surface of these belts 50 and 51. These belts may be driven from any suitable means, as, for example, the same power source that drives the first mentioned set of endless belts. This may, for example, comprise a gearing and sprocket chain arrangement connected to roll 52 with roll 54 geared to roll 52 for movement in an opposite direction.

Means are provided for directing sheets folded between rolls 20 and 21 selectively to the upper surfaces of either belts 50 and 51. These means comprise an elongated plate 60 which extends lengthwise and directly below the nip 23 with the plate 60 supported preferably on a l0ngitudinal axis 61, in turn suitably journaled in cross beams 3 for rotation about the axis 61 so that the plate may be shifted from the position illustrated in solid outline in FIG. 3 to the position illustrated in dotted outline at 60a. The plate may be manually shifted by means of rods 64 and 65 with rod 65 extending outwardly through side frame 1 on the right, as illustrated in FIG. 3. These rods 64 and 65 are suitably connected to an end or edge of the plate 60 and are otherwise suitably supported in the side frames for longitudinal actuating movement.

A pair of means for effecting cross folds are associated with the sets of belts 50 and 51. These means are symmetrically located with one positioned above each of the sets of belts 50 and 51. These are similar in construction and are designed to engage the leading edge of a folded sheet as it moves outwardly over the upper surfaces of the belts 50 and 51 to effect a second cross fold when this engaged leading edge is dropped in alignment with the trailing edge. Since these arrangements are similar a description of the folding means associated with belts 50 may be applied to the folding means associated with belts 51. In this arrangement a bar is supported above the upper surfaces of belts by suitable braces 71. This bar extends across the upper surfaces of belts 50 and is spaced from them. It preferably may be adjusted longitudinally with respect to the upper surfaces of the belts for purposes of adapting the cross folder for sheets of different sizes. A plate 72 is supported in the machine over the belts 50 by suitable means with the plate 72 being supported for pivotal rotation about an axis 73 spaced from and parallel to the bar 70. End 74 of this plate 72 is adapted to be moved from the upper surfaces of belts 50 toward and in engagement with the underside of bar 70 in a clamping relation, Suitable means may be used to pivot the plate 72 upwardly from the position illustrated in FIG. 3 in which a free edge of the plate rests on the upper surface of the belts 50 and it is adapted to engage the leading edge of a sheet as it moves outwardly. The plate will engage and move the leading edge of a sheet upwardly to clamp it between the bar 70 and plate 72. Means for effecting this movement may comprise a lever 75 connected at one end to an air cylinder 76 in turn pivotally supported on the frame 3 by a pivot 77. Actuation of the cylinder 76 is controlled by suitable solenoid control valve in turn suitably controlled by microswitch 78. Microswitch 78 is suitably located to be engaged and tripped by the leading edge of a sheet as it moves over upper surface of belts 50 so that the clamp will be actuated as the leading edge moves onto the upper surface of plate 72. If desired, a second air cylinder 80 may be provided to delay the return of the plate 72 after actuation for a short time interval to prevent the trailing edge of a sheet from being caught by plate 72.

What is claimed is:

1. A cross folder for textile sheets comprising,

a conveyor means comprising a plurality of endless belts supported for rotation of the upper surfaces thereof in a forward direction and extending over a width greater than the length of each of said individual upper surfaces,

a pair of folding rolls supported parallel to one another and length below said endless belts with a nip formed by said rolls and intermediate a pair of said belts,

endless belt means having upper surfaces positioned below and extending in opposite directions augularly to the axis of said folding rolls and extending toward both sides of said folder,

means for moving said upper surfaces in directions outwardly from said nip toward opposite sides of said endless belt means,

deflector means supported below said nip defined by said folding rolls, and being adapted to engage a textile sheet drawn downwardly through said rolls;

means mounting said deflector means for movement between positions to deflect said sheet emerging from said folding rolls selectively to one of said endless belt means, and

a pair of means for effecting cross folds as said sheets are moved on said endless belt means with one of said means on one side and the other of said means on the other side of said nip, between said nip and the ends of said upper surfaces of said endless belt means.

2. A cross folder as set forth in claim 1 wherein said endless belt means comprises two sets of endless belts supported on rollers for movement of one set in one direction outward of said nip toward one side and the other set in the opposite direction outward of said nip toward the other side of said folder.

3. A cross folder as set forth in claim 2 having a defleeting guide positioned below and extending longitudinally of said folding rolls and means for moving said guide from one position whereby folded sheets moving downwardly from said nip are selectively guided onto either of said sets of endless belts to a second position whereby folded sheets moving downwardly from said nip may be guided outwardly by said sets of endless belts.

4. A cross folder as set forth in claim 3 wherein said means for moving said guide, comprising means supporting said guide for pivoting rotation about an axis longitudinal of and below said nip, and means engaging said guide for rotation about said axis.

5. A cross folder as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said means for effecting cross folds comprise,

a clamping bar extending across and above said set of endless belts and clamp means comprising a plate,

means supporting said plate above said endless belt means for pivoting said plate from a position in which one edge is close to the upper surface of said endless belt means to a position adjacent said bar whereby the leading edge of folded sheets may be engaged and secured by said plate and bar.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 689,862 12/1901 Eckerson 270-82 3,113,772 12/1963 Malcott et al. 270-69 3,252,700 5/1966 Henry 270-69 3,361,424 1/1968 Kamberg 270-66 FOREIGN PATENTS 271,081 8/ 1926 Great Britain.

P. V. WILLIAMS, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

